Oh brother, join us at Barca, Cesc

No one is closer to Fabregas than the former Manchester United wannabe who has turned into the world's best defender in three glory-filled seasons since he quit Old Trafford to rejoin Barca.

Three La Ligas, two Champions Leagues, one Copa Del Rey, two Spanish Super Cups, one European Super Cup and one Club World Cup is Pique's astonishing trophy haul in three seasons under boss Pep Guardiola.

At the same time Fabregas, a Barcelona fan since birth who played with Pique at the Catalan giants' academy, has won nothing at Arsenal.

And the lure of a return home is growing stronger with every day that goes by.

Pique said: "I would like him to. It's my wish for that to happen. I can't be clearer.

"He is a Barcelona fan and has been his whole life and he would love to come. It would be very, very good for us.

"Last year it looked like he would come but he didn't. Now it looks like he could again but we have to wait. I hope the people in the offices can work well and can bring him in this time."

Fabregas' nostalgic yearning for a return to home to rejoin his boyhood club is well-documented.

But add the knowledge that he will be playing alongside the greatest players in the world, most of whom are his best friends from childhood, and Pique's words acquire an even bigger significance.

Fabregas met Leo Messi and Andres Iniesta in the famous Barcelona academy that has produced the majority of Guardiola's superteam.

Seven players that came through the ranks started against United in their 3-1 Champions League final triumph at Wembley last month.

Skipper Carles Puyol came on as sub and was the eighth former youth team member to face United.

Speaking at Barcelona's training ground, Pique insisted that the bond that exists between the players that came through the ranks drives them on to glory.

He added: "We are like brothers in the dressing room. It's always different because you have a relationship not only in the professional way.

"On a personal level you have a good relationship and when your friends play well you feel happy for them.

"You can see that on the pitch. Puyol is my best friend in the dressing room.

"When I look at him he understands what I think and the same with him. It's all about having a good relationship in the dressing room."

But there is one former Barca academy starlet who's yet to return home - Pique's side-kick Cesc.

Pique said: "I have said before and I still do that my hope is that one day he will play for Barcelona.

"I would love to have him alongside me because as well as a good person, he is a great player.

"I would love him to be here this year or if not then next year. He would give us more.

"I haven't spoken to him recently. I don't know how Arsenal set up are economically but I do know that he is a great player and a real friend of mine and he is a Barcelona player - he has been in the youth system here and he knows what we are about. He could perform perfectly here."

It is against this backdrop that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is fighting against the odds to keep hold of his skipper for one last tilt at winning silverware with the North Londoners.

But Barca's Band of Brothers that includes Messi, Xavi and Iniesta - all close pals of Cesc - virtually guarantees glory for the Arsenal midfielder.